Wednesday, September 3, 2008

No more food scares!

Most people infected with Salmonella develop fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Although illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment, severe illness may occur that requires medical attention and hospitalization, the CDC warns. In these patients, the Salmonella infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites. In this situation, the infection can cause death unless the patient is treated promptly with antibiotics.According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,251 people with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Canada since April 2008.The positive sample was obtained during an FDA inspection at a produce distribution center in McAllen, Texas. The pepper was grown on a farm in Mexico, but the agency says that does not mean that the pepper was contaminated in Mexico.The produce distribution center, Agricola Zaragoza, is working with the FDA to voluntarily recall jalapeno peppers the company distributed since June 30.

There are many more dangerous activities that we allow such as drinking alcohol, smoking, driving a car, go swimming, etc. The key is for the government to give the accurate information, and let people make decisions for themselves, rather than issuing proclamations and inciting fear. All in all, not that many people were affected directly, but millions were impacted through the government's behavior. This is not what we should be doing.Craig Farmermaking the word "liberal safe again!"